Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Production from Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) from Organic Wastes by Pseudomonas oleovorans

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a biodegradable polymer from organic wastes by Pseudomonas oleovorans. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from acidogenic fermentations of chicken manure (VFAs-CM) and potato peels (VFAs-PP), rich in organic matter majorly acetic (49.9%), butyric (15%) and propionic acids (11.1%) were utilized as substrates for microbial processes. During 72 h of cultivations, samples were withdrawn at intervals and analyzed for cell growth parameters, PHAs accumulation and polymeric properties. The highest biopolymer accumulation (0.39 g PHAs/g DCW) was achieved at 48 h of cultivation from medium containing VFAs-PP as the sole source of carbon. On characterization, the produced biopolymers were shown to be semi-crystalline of carbonyl C=O group. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the produced biopolymers demonstrated the capability to withstand thermal degradation above prescribed temperatures at which cross-linking isomerization reaction occurs, which is a vital property denoting the thermal stability of biopolymer.